Part 21 (2/2)
”Now, boys, do you knohy I called you out?” asked Major Morris, with just the suspicion of a twinkle in his clear eyes
”No, as it?” came from a dozen voices
”Because I wanted to save your lives,” was the quiet response
”Save our lives,We have just captured one of the rebel gunners, as in command of the piece that was blown to atoms He says that this hollohere you had your caazine, and that they left all of a hundred and fifty pounds of powder stored there, hidden under the moss and dead leaves”
CHAPTER XXII
THE RESULT OF AN AMBUSH
”Good gracious, do you asped Gilbert, as soon as he could speak
”Sure, an' it's a wondher asn't all blowed to hivin!” came from Dan Casey
”Und I boil mine chocolate so calmly as you blease,” put in Carl Stummer, with a shudder ”Py chiminy, I ton't vos build no fire no round”
For several minutes the excitement was intense, and all of the soldiers retreated to a considerable distance from the hollohich had proved such a comfortable shelter
Presently, however, Ben, Gilbert, and several others o back and haul down the coverings put up Then cauished the fire; and the danger of an explosion was past
An exaunner had told the truth The poas there, in big cans bearing the old Spanish stamp Some was marked 1876, and was so old as to be practically worthless
”They ought to have shot that off in honor of our centennial,”
re captain ”I don't wonder the rebels can't hit anything This powder has no carrying power left to it”
Nevertheless the poas carted off and added to the American stock Then General Lawton rode up and Major Morris told in detail what had been accomplished
With the fall of Maasin came another day of much-needed rest for the majority of the troops under General Lawton In the at upon San Isidro, the command under General MacArthur was far from idle The Filipino commissioners wanted a three ht be discussed, but to this the Americans would not listen, as they felt the eneanize their shattered forces
MacArthur's command was now in possession of Calumpit on the railroad, and Apalit, just above, on the Rio Grande; while the rebels in this territory began to mass at St Tomas and at San Fernando, still further northward on the railroad On May the 4th MacArthur's division set out fro and Wheaton's on the left
It was not supposed that the rebels would make a serious stand short of San Fernando, but at St Toht ensued, lasting several hours, but without great loss to the A they could not hold St Tomas, the Filipinos set fire to the town and fled They were pursued with vigor, and atteht, but failed to do so
Early in thewas renewed, and near San Fernando another battle took place But the rebels were disheartened by the defeat at St Tomas, and were soon on the run, and General Hale drove the possession of the town it was found that several of the public buildings were in ruins The defensive works here were very strong, and had the Filipinos stood up to their work like real fighters, theytime
On Saturday, May the 6th, Ben's coain, down the hill into Maasin, now patrolled by Americans, and then to the main road beyond
”I don't believe we are in forcaptain to Gilmore, who had now been appointed first lieutenant
”I reckon you are right,” answered Gilmore ”The scouts haven't found any rebels within a ht through to San Isidro,” went on Ben, thoughtfully ”I n”